Workplace Culture

Drawing from a fascinating range of sources, from Richard Scarry to Siri Hustvedt, from historians to trade unionists, philosophers and crucially, to hours of original research through workshops, Hilary Cottam writes of the history of work and new ways of looking at work.

If you read (or listen to) nothing else on building a high-performing team from within, listen to these ten articles. We've combed through hundreds of Harvard Business Review articles and selected the most important ones to help you communicate more effectively, cultivate trust, build a learning and risk-taking culture, and transform your team from one of high potentials to one of high performers.

Bestselling author, leading sociologist and economist Juliet Schor makes the case for a four-day work week, persuasively showing how this model can address major challenges such as burnout, AI and the climate crisis, and how employees, companies, and governments can work together to make it a reality.

In this new Jon Gordon fable The 7 Commitments of Great Teams, Tim is struggling to lead his team at work: projects are falling flat, morale is low, and his leadership ability is in question from higher-ups. In a moment of heartbreak, he talks to his old college coach, who is on his deathbed, and is reminded of a simple yet perspective-shifting adage from the past: "teammates are forever."

Vertical teams and horizontal teams can transcend organizational silos and boundaries if properly focused and supported. Building collaborative teams can improve the client experience. In Supernova Advisor Teams: A Pathway to Excellence, you'll discover the macro rationale and justification for teams, as well as the micro benefits of team formation.

But there is a solution. In Rebooting Tech Culture, Whitney explains that the same values at the heart of a culture of innovation—creativity, courage, confidence, curiosity, communication, and community—can also foster a culture that is welcoming to all employees. Drawing on more than fifty interviews with tech executives and a survey of 1,000 people in tech, she shows how these "six Cs" can power real change in technology organizations, creating workplaces where anyone can be successful and where innovation thrives.

In today’s evolving workforce, embracing Neurodiversity isn’t just about inclusion—it’s about unlocking innovation, creativity, and productivity. Participants will gain a deep understanding of neurodivergent conditions such as Autism, ADHD, Dyslexia, Dyspraxia, and more, while discovering how to foster environments where all employees can thrive. The audiobook moves beyond traditional awareness to actionable solutions, offering insights into inclusive hiring, workplace adaptations, and strengths-based approaches that maximize the potential of neurodivergent talent.

According to research, 60 percent of your overall career success hinges on your ability to self-advocate. However, as a professional of color, communicating your value and contributions, stepping up for opportunities, and commanding the salary you deserve may feel like your biggest challenge, too. Author Devika Brij is here to show you that it doesn’t have to be this way.

In The Leaders You Need, Karen Brown shares the approach she has used to guide organizations from small nonprofits to the Global 500 on their journey to greater diversity in leadership and management. Her innovative, field-tested ABCD framework consists of four pillars: how to align diversity, equity, and inclusion efforts with business priorities; how to build strong partnerships with stakeholders; how to cultivate a culture of role models; and how to define objectives and outcomes with data.

Have you ever wondered why the best ideas come from unexpected places? Bottom-Up Breakthrough reveals how the untapped insights of everyday team members can spark revolutionary change. Discover the secret to transforming overlooked voices into powerful drivers of innovation, challenging traditional hierarchies and unlocking unprecedented potential in any organization. What if the key to breakthrough innovation isn’t top-down mandates but a simple shift in communication? Have you considered that the frontline insights you ignore could be the missing ingredient for success?